Due to the 2021 Dixie fire, the landscape in areas visited during this itinerary have been impacted. There has been a loss of canopy cover, particularly during our first day. While sunblock is a required gear item, many guests may prefer to also bring a sun shirt to minimize sun exposure.

Our day starts this morning with a meeting and orientation in Redding, California. We then hop aboard a provided shuttle for a two-hour drive to the northeast corner of Lassen Volcanic National Park, where our trek begins. Our trail hugs the shores of Butte Lake, which was shaped by underwater lava fields and continues to be fed by nearby Snag Lake, where we set up camp for the evening. Lunch & dinner included.

Backpacking: 5.5 miles, Elevation gain/loss: minimal; Van transfer: 2 hours

Today’s hike takes us deep into the peaceful corners of Lassen Volcanic National Park. We’ll stroll through uniquely beautiful areas that perfectly display the resilience of nature, while enjoying glimpses of Lassen Peak along the way. Known as a region rich in human and cultural history, our guides will also share insight into the lives of the Indigenous Americans, emigrants and pioneers who left their mark on the area. At the end of the day we’ll tuck into warm sleeping bags and fall asleep under a sky overflowing with stars. All meals included.

Backpacking: ~7 miles, Elevation gain/loss: + 900’ / - 900'

We round out the backpacking portion of our trek with a hike through some of the park’s most spectacular volcanic terrain. Our ultimate goal for the day is the rim of Cinder Cone. Sitting at 6,906' of elevation, it's a perfect perch for viewing the vibrant Painted Dunes, the Fantastic Lava Beds, Lassen Peak, and the route we traveled the past two days. To fully experience Cinder Cone, we head down into the crater itself. We climb back out to the rim for lunch before packing up for the last mile of our hike back to the Butte Lake trailhead.

Our next stop is a front-country campground in the heart of Lassen Volcanic National Park. We set up camp for the night and take time to relax and enjoy dinner before heading to bed early—we've got an alpine start in the morning! All meals included

Backpacking: 6 miles, Elevation gain/loss: + 800’ / - 800'

We wake up before dawn to prepare for our summit attempt of Lassen Peak. The world’s largest "plug dome" volcano and the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range, Lassen also holds the distinction of being the largest lava dome in the world. On a good day, views from the top stretch as far south as Sacramento!

After our summit we stop by the park's Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center to enjoy a picnic lunch and learn more about the park’s history. We then hop in our shuttle back to Redding, where we hope to arrive by early evening. Please note that this time may vary based on trail conditions, group pace, weather, traffic and other factors beyond our control. Breakfast & lunch included.

Hiking: 5 miles, Elevation gain/loss: + 2,000’ /- 2,000'; Van transfer: 2 hours